Chapter 17
Jules
I follow Marx down the hall to what he called the “eastern sector”. I wanted to be in the lead, but Marx pointed out that his rank and training is superior to mine so to shut up and get in behind.
“Fucking sons of bitches,” Nitro murmurs, stopping and pointing to the sign on the door.
Black, 5’9, brown eyes, 21
“They’ve labelled the fucking doors like they do at the animal shelter,” Fox says in disgust.
He reaches for the door handle but Marx stops him. “Not yet. We don’t know what we’re releasing them into.” He looks around before settling his gaze on our group. “Notice the guards?”
“Lack thereof you mean. It’s fucking weird,” Gus says under his breath.
“Seen it before,” Marx grunts, “Either they’ve given up their stations -”
“Or?” Gus asks .
“Or they’re all in the same place.”
“Fuck,” my brother curses under his breath.
“Exactly. Lets find those fucks, then once they’re neutralized we help the women.”
We nod in reply and start moving forward again. I try to ignore the signs on the door, but fuck, there’s at least a dozen of them all stating the stats of the women held prisoner behind them. I walk by a door on my left and I freeze.
Brown hair, brown eyes, 5’3, 27
That’s her. It has to be fucking her. My eyes flick to the touch pad at the side of the door, the light flashing green. Dumbasses. Gripping the handle I turn it, pushing in as silently as I can. I get my first look at the room and fury pulses through me like I’ve never felt before. Because, there, on the bed, her face bruised, battered and swollen is Violet. Two guards have her feet, another two are holding her arms down, her shirt has been cut down the middle. Thankfully the lace of her bra is still intact, her breasts covered. What it doesn’t cover is the bite mark on her left breast, one that I know for a fucking fact wasn’t there last night when she left. A guttural roar leaves my body as I lunge forward, ready to fight with everything I have to protect Vi.
Grabbing the guy closest to me, the one who had Vi’s jeans down to her knees, I yank his head back by his hair enough to smash his nose with the butt of the gun in my hand. He splutters as his own filthy blood runs into the back of his throat before throwing him to the ground kicking him for good measure. Moving onto the next son of a bitch I sidekick him directly in the gut, enough to have him fold in half, fist height, perfect height to pistol whip, cutting open his cheek in the process. I ignore the shouts from the other men in the room, knowing my brothers, both biological and MC have my back and will take care of the rest of these fuckers in the room.
I continue to growl and bash this one guy in the face, ignoring his hands clawing at mine until a firm hand grips the back of my neck.
“That’s enough, brother. You don’t want to kill him here,” Gus says in a low, calm voice. “Go take care of your woman, I got this.”
I nod at my brother frantically, too keyed up to do anything in a calm manner just yet. Stalking to Vi who’s still lying on the bed, her bra covered breasts exposed, I drop to my knees, my breath coming in pants. I shuck off my tactical jacket, grip my tshirt behind my neck and pull it off in one movement, leaving me in my thin kevlar undershirt. Gently I lift Vi, my brave woman, leaning her against my chest as I find the head hole of my shirt and try to pull it over her head without hurting her battered face. She lets out a whimper and I rock her slightly, shushing her as I try to get her arms in the arm holes.
“Jules?” Vi’s hoarse voice whispers as she turns her head into my chest.
“I’m here, Firecracker, I’m here.”
Her dark head tilts back and she cracks her left open, this one slightly less swollen than the right.
“Took you long enough.” Her busted lip curves up before it wobbles and she bursts into tears.
I wrap her in my arms and hold her, hoping the pressure will make her feel safe, secure. It works on Dayz so I’m hoping to employ the same reasoning. The sounds of flesh hitting flesh plays in the background, at one point Fox laughs, joined by Nitro. Before long Rider is back, bringing with him Flack, Savage, Dex and Rhodie who have all the kids secured and handled by Moss and the FBI.
“Load ‘em up boys, we’ll take this lot with us. I think Jules may have plans for them,” Marx says, giving me a chin lift when I nod. “We’ll take care of getting these doors open for the women held here.”
“Moss has emergency services on standby for them. Dansen is outside along with half the bureau.” Rhodie informs him as he tosses one of the guys I beat over his shoulder.
“Any word on Candice Rogers?”
“In the wind along with three of her staff. Don’t worry brother, Chewy is on it,” Rhodie says on his way past, with Flack, Dex and Rider with their cargo in tow.
Vi has started to settle in my arms, her sobs slowing, even if her breathing is still a little dysregulated. All of a sudden she sits bolt upright, fighting to get out of my arms.
“Maddy! I have to get Maddy!” She starts scrambling up off the bed, her movements awkward and pained.
She turns too quickly and her breath catches as she falls to her knees, a whimper escaping her lips, her hand pressed to her rib cage. My fists clench and my hearing warps, sounding like the inside of a seashell - crashing and swirling as my anger rises to the surface. My fists clench and I want to find whoever did this and make them hurt until they’re begging at Vi’s feet for forgiveness, but I can’t. Vi needs me. I take a deep breath, I am in control of my body. I am in control of my body. My fists unclench and I reach for Vi, cupping her face gently in my blood-stained hands.
“Maddy is safe. We got her out of here, along with the other kids. She told us where to find you.” I whisper gently, my forehead pressed to hers.
“She’s so brave,” my Firecracker murmurs, ignoring how her bravery saved Maddy in return.
“So are you. What do you say we get outta here?”
She nods, her movements moving our heads as we’re still pressed together. “Can you walk?”
“I wouldn’t say no to being carried by a big, strong man,” she replies cheekily. “Even if that big strong man is an asshole sometimes.”
I huff out a breath, “Yeah, but I’m yours.” She stares at me with her one good eye, and I’m fucking scared to look deeper, in case she doesn’t want an asshole like me. I mean who would? I’m rude and my communication sucks. Fuck, I only started feeling shit after my kid was stolen and my nanny kidnapped. I have no business -
“And Juno’s.”
“Huh?”
“You. You’re mine and Juno’s,” she says, a little shyly.
I swallow, “Yeah, and Juno’s. Let’s get you home, she’ll be waiting.”
Vi nods and I lift her gently from the ground, cradling her in my arms. She rests her head against my chest and it feels like this is where she was always meant to be.
Now all I gotta do is try to convince her to stay.
Violet
He found me. He found me and he said he was mine. I have no idea what the hell happened over the last however many hours it’s been, or even if the declarations are a good thing for us given what’s transpired in the past 24-ish hours, but at this point I don’t care. A man I like, even more than like, came for me. As did all the men he has at his back.
He walks down the hall, cradling me in his arms and I’m sure he’s taking gentle steps so as not to jolt me and my bruised body too much. This alone is enough to make a woman fall, but I know with someone like Jules, it’ll be one step forward and maybe two steps back, even if he does seem more emotional and in touch with himself than I’ve ever seen him before.
Nitro opens a door ahead of us and Phoebe, the pregnant woman from the dining room, peeks around it. Her eyes widen when she sees me in Jules’ arms.
“Violet! Oh my god, are you OK?” She looks at Jules. “Is she going to be OK?”
“She’ll be fine now that we’ve got her. You all will be,” Jules answers gruffly.
I bury my face in his chest, trying not to giggle. It seems like he’s still the rough, abrupt Jules to anyone else by me and Juno.
“Come with us, ma’am. We’ve got emergency services waiting outside,” Nitro says, gently taking Phoebe by the arm and guiding her down the hall to the elevators.
Fox has Holly who looks like this is all a new adventure for her. The rest of the freed women are huddling together in a pack, not wanting to get too close to the men and I get it. If I’d been held against my will and raped I’d never want to see a penis owner again in my life, let alone trust one.
We make our way downstairs and I marvel at how strong Jules really is. I’m not a small girl, more plump than I’d like but holy crap, this man has not faltered once in his care of me, not even having to do that thing where he gives me a little hoist up to have me in a better position. He scooped me up and that’s where I stayed. Until I hit the ground floor and see the kids from the truck surrounded by people dressed in suits, looking bewildered.
“Put me down, Jules.”
“Not on your fucking life,” he grits out.
“You need to put me down. I have to go settle the kids, and I don’t want them thinking I’m hurt really bad.”
He tilts his face down, staring at me like I’ve lost my ever loving mind. “You are hurt really bad. Fuck Vi, I don’t even know if there’s a part of you that isn’t bruised.”
I pat his chest gently, “It’s not as bad as it looks. Trust me, I’m a nurse, remember?”
A snort sounds out behind us, along with a muttered “Good luck with that, brother,” as Nitro slaps his hand on Jules’ back, passing by us with some of the women following.
“Look, just put me down for now, and you can boss me around later. Deal?” I would wink, and try to look cute, but even I know I’d be pushing it.
He lets out a long sigh, then gently places me on my feet, his large hands on my hips, bracing me until I’m steady. I turn to look at him, placing my hand on his cheek, trying not to wince when I get a good look at my torn up knuckles.
“Thank you, Jules. Give me ten minutes, OK?”
“Ten minutes, then you’re getting seen by Switch.” He raises his thick, dark brow and I nod, knowing full well that if I didn’t he’d wait the ten minutes and drag me away anyway.
I make my way through the suits, police and MC brothers milling about until I make it to the small group of children I recognise.
“Violet!” Maddy yells, throwing off the silver emergency blanket the kids all seem to be wrapped in. “Are you OK? I tried to help, but I couldn’t, I’m so sorry!” She starts sobbing and I pull her into my arms.
Bella, Stevie and the two little boys all run toward me, wrapping their little arms around anywhere on my body they can touch. My ribs are still a little tender, nothing broken, probably just bruised, but I ignore the pain of them when Maddy wraps her arms around my waist, holding tight.
I lean back as far as I’m comfortable with, and cup her face, “You did good, Maddy, so good. You were so brave.” I look at the children around me, and make sure I rub my hands through all of their hair, getting their attention, so they can see the sincerity in my face, “You all were so brave and did so well. I’m proud of you for sticking together and looking out for each other.” I hug them to me.
I can feel the adrenaline leaching out of me, and I know it won’t be long before I crash.
“Come on kids. Let’s help Vi to the ambulance where Dr. Hansen can look after her,” Moss says, looking down at me with tears in his eyes.
I lean my head toward him, managing to rest it on the side of his arm without squishing Max and Jett.
“You did good, Pirate,” he blinks the tears out of his eyes, giving me a thin lipped grin.
“Damn Rodney,” I huff out gently, not wanting to hurt anything.
“Yeah, he managed to get Tav to take him to Hobby Lobby for the hot glue gun you promised him. Came out with enough shit to fill a craft room,” Moss barks out a laugh and I grip my side as I join him, not heartily, but enough to get my giggles out. “Come on, Lettie. Let’s get you cleaned up. ”
I follow my big brother, kids in tow to where Switch and Jules are waiting for me at the open back of an ambulance.
“Damn girl, hate to see what the other guy looks like,” Switch booms, shaking his head.
He puts his hand out to gently guide me into the back of the ambulance, chuckling when Jules shoves him out of the way and wraps his arm around my back, making sure I don’t jiggle myself as I sit where Switch indicated. He then stands beside me, the heat of his body seeping into my side, holding my hand as Switch gently works on the left side of my body where I took the most amount of hits. The kids all huddle together, on a spare stretcher, watching me intently. Knowing their little eyes are on me I try not to flinch too much when Switch presses on my nose, checking for breaks and what not. Rolling my lips between my teeth, I bite down a little when he feels around my tender eye and cheekbone.
“So, nothing looks broken, just hella bruised.” He places an icepack on the left side of my face and before I can raise my hand to hold it for him, Jules’ arm comes around me, his hand gently holding it in place.
“He needs to deal with your hands, babe.” he murmurs in my ear, sending a thrill through me. Which is fucking ridiculous when you think what I’ve gone through today. Later on my vagina and I will be having a talk about appropriate times and places.
Switch gently takes my left hand, cleaning it and wrapping it in soft gauze before gently placing it in my lap and moving on to my right side.
“Shit girl, this hand is mangled,” he shakes his head and goes about his business, giving Jules a dirty look when he refuses to move out of his way so he can continue his checks .
I’m starting to slump, and whatever brave face I was putting on for the kids is starting to slip. I’m exhausted and all I want is to crawl into bed and fall into a deep sleep for the next 24 to 48 hours.
“Come on, let’s get you to the clubhouse. We’re all staying there tonight, I have some…stuff I have to take care of, and Juno is there with Mama Debs. And your mom.”
My brows raise at Jules’ comment. “Mom? My mom? Flora Davies is at the clubhouse?”
Jules smiles wide. “She practically kicked the door in, looking for you.”
I drop my head and lean it on Jules’ hard stomach, my shoulders shaking with my repressed laughter. “Of course she did.”
“You’re free to go. But take it easy. I’ll give you something for the pain and I’ll be in to check on you in the morning. I’m fairly certain you have a mild concussion so you need to take it easy.”
“I’ll check on her in the night,” Jules says seriously, before scooping me up in his arms.
“Wait! The kids!” I look to the stretcher where they were all sitting and see that Moss has them, loading them into a vehicle. “Where are they taking them?”
“All the kids have families that are desperate to see them. The FBI and the Landry brothers will be travelling with them to the field office to meet them.”
My brows pull in slightly. “Who are the Landry brothers?”
Jules looks down at me for a moment. “What do you know about Blanche and Lovely?”
“That they escaped a cult their father and uncles ran.”
He nods once. “Blanche and Lovely’s brothers have taken it over, they run a safe haven for mainly women and children who have escaped shitty lives. They also have a network of people, kinda like an underground railroad that helps move people to safety. The kids will be safe with them.”
I let out a relieved breath, feeling exhaustion take over me now that I know everyone is safe. “Take me to Juno, Jules.”